OUR MISSION
The Newcastle Longboard Pro/Am was put together by contest organizers Phil Baggs and John Flanders to add another round to the Australian Longboard circuit and in particular to promote Longboard surfing in the Newcastle area.
This 5A rated contest, along with the already established contest in Queensland, ensures the Longboarding future on the east coast of Australia as well as opening a more mellow professional surfing scene in the Newcastle area. This is quite appropriate after all the talk of turning Newcastle's major industry into a surfing tourism town. The Newcastle Longboard Pro/Am has now, in its second year, marked the beginning of all that.
Along with all this change, we are bringing a change to the face of Womens Longboarding in Australia with a 2A rated Ladies event. A record number of girls are now surfing, in particular Longboarding instead of Shortboarding and Bodyboarding. We feel that the laid back approach is pulling them in. There's not much attitude involved.
Amateur divisions have been included so we don't loose sight, after all Longboarding is Longboarding.
These events are put together with great thought ensuring that all competitors and the companies sponsoring these divisions will be promoted in the best possible manner.
WHAT IS LONGBOARDING
Longboarding is a classic style of expressive surfing. For many involved it is an explicit passion, a form of freedom.
Unlike most sports Longboarding is truly a family orientated sport. On any day, whether it be in competition or weekend surf, you will often see Dad, Son, Daughter andyes, even Mum on these fun style boards.
Over the past few years a new wave of professionalism has swept through the Longboard scene. There are now cameras lining the shore, magazines, videos and most importantly sponsors purely interested in Longboarding. This has led to a significant impact on the surfing sub-culture.
VENUE
The preferred location is Newcastle Beach as when the contest is held the predominate winds, from the north east, are off shore. To allow for variable conditions the contest will be mobile between 11 Beaches from Stockton to Catherine Hill Bay to ensure quality waves and better performances so as to please both competitors and sponsors.
THE CONTEST
Heats start at 7.00am each day with the Amateur divisions. The Pro events will get best media and spectator coverage by starting around noon. Saturday will consist of all the heats for all divisions. Sunday includes the Pro and Junior quarters and semis. The climax of the contest with be the ever important finals.
DIVISIONS
The contest includes two professional divisions. The 5A rated Open 9 foot and a 2A rated Ladies Pro, both sanctioned by the ASP and forming part of the Australian Longboard circuit. Amateur divisions include U18 Juniors, Over 35s, Over 45s, Over 50s and from 2001 Amateur 9 Foot and 8 Foot Open Shootout.